Appalachian Forest Heritage Area

What's NEW With AFHA?
-- Bulletins and Notices

Spring 2018

Join the Campaign for Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area Designation.

Show your support now for our region to become a National Heritage Area. This national recognition and increased funding will benefit all AFHA communities in the 18-county highlands region of West Virginia and western Maryland.
See more HERE.

Special Guest for AFHA Annual Meeting, Coming March 16th in Moorefield

AFHA is excited to announce that Alan Spears, from the National Parks
Conservation Association, will join us for our AFHA Annual Meeting to speak
about National Heritage Areas. The program will also include tour and panel
on regional heritage tourism development, and AFHA AmeriCorps team
presentations. Come participate, learn about National Heritage Areas, and
about what is going on in our own area! For more details, see
HERE.

Winter 2018

What Did The AFHA Accomplish In 2017?See a few of the answers in the new
flyer HERE. Also covered
in this document are the 2017 contributions of the AFHA's fine AmeriCorps
workers.

The Second Annual
Benefit Concert will be hosted by
the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area (AFHA), in cooperation with ArtsBank,
Inc., on Saturday, January 27, 2018. All proceeds will go to ArtsBank, a
nonprofit artist residency program that supports youth arts education in local
schools. The concert will be at the Randolph County
Community Arts Center. For
details, see the event page HERE.

AFHA Now Hiring
for Program Associate position (paid,
full-time)AFHA is seeking a Program Associate to
start in the Summer of 2018, to
help with implementation and administration primarily of the AFHA AmeriCorps
program and to a lesser degree for other AFHA activities and projects.
Primary duties will include assisting with recruitment, training, oversight
and reporting for the AFHA AmeriCorps program. If you are interested, see
details
HERE.

AFHA is
Inviting Applications from organizations to sponsor AFHA AmeriCorps members. For information, contact us at
afha@appalachianforest.us or click
HERE

Summer 2017

AFHA is still hiring
until filled for Program Associate Staff Position - Details
HERE.

National Heritage Area House Bill Introduced Congressman David McKinley (R-W.Va.), with
co-sponsorship by Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va) and Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.),
has introduced H.R. 3142 - the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area Act
of 2017, in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill brings national
recognition for Appalachian Forest Heritage Area one step closer to reality.
For more information on AFNHA National Heritage Area efforts click
HERE.

Spring 2017

AFHA Spring
Members Meeting - Summersville May 11

The annual members meeting for Appalachian Forest
Heritage Area will be held Thursday, May 11, at Old Main in Summersville.
Everyone interested is invited. The meeting will feature tours and
presentations about Nicholas County, a discussion panel about conservation
partnerships, and presentations by AFHA AmeriCorps members. For more
information about this meeting, see the details
HERE (PDF).

AFHA Now Hiring
for Program Associate position (paid,
full-time)

AFHA is seeking a Program Associate to
help with implementation and administration primarily of the AFHA AmeriCorps
program and to a lesser degree for other AFHA activities and projects.
Primary duties will include assisting with recruitment, training, oversight
and reporting for the AFHA AmeriCorps program. If you are interested, see
details
HERE.

National Heritage
Area Bill Moved Out Of Committee

Senate Bill 401 to designate the Appalachian
Forest National Heritage Area, introduced in February by Sen. Joe Manchin
with co-sponsorship from Sen. Capito, Sen. Cardin, and Sen. Van Hollen, has
been combined with three other proposed National Heritage Areas into Senate Bill 713 "National Heritage Area Authorization Act of 2017."
This bill was approved unanimously on March 30 by the Energy and Natural
Resources Committee. For more information click
HERE.

Winter 2017

Senate AFNHA Bill Introduced

Senate Bill 401 to designate
Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area was introduced by Senators
Manchin, Capito, Cardin and Van Hollen. For more information, click
HERE.

Fall 2016

AFHA & C-Hope Present:
Penn Johnson in concert at the Darden Mill

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

7:30pm
Admission $10, Students and AmeriCorps $5

AFHA and C-HOPE are pleased to present Penn Johnson in concert at the
Darden Mill on Wednesday November 16th at 7:30 pm. Penn is part of a
dying breed; wandering the world in search of fresh vegetables, a new
community, and a place to hang his hat. A storyteller by nature and a
folksinger by trade, he's chiseled himself a genre dubbed SoulFolk
Storytelling, inspired by talkin' blues, soul, and mind/body meditation.
Two years of sleepless nights in stranger towns searching for adventure
have smoothed his storytelling craft and inspired him to look beyond the
idea of personalized fame and to focus on spreading the music flowing
through him for the sake of the song.

Penn's unique style is more reminiscent of spoken word than folk music.
His gruff vocals latch onto catchy hooks and upbeat strums, encouraging
audiences to drift away into their minds and release their spirits
through movement. Penn's stories give stream-of-consciousness vignettes
of his experiences -- ranging from hitch-hiking in Australia to death
threats in Pennsylvania -- and call for a return to a loving and
peaceful existence.

For more information about Penn, including photos and music links,
please visit pennjohnson.net.

The Darden Mill is located at the corner of 1st and Railroad Ave. in
Elkins, WV. There is limited evening parking at the MIll, but close by
on-street parking is available in downtown Elkins.

Senate Bill 3167, to establish the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area was presented before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on September 22. National Park Service written testimony supported passage of the bill, and Sen. Manchin and Sen. Capito both spoke in support.
(See video of the hearing
HERE - Select "S.3167 - Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area
Act of 2016" from the list.)

Sen Manchin's comments on our bill are at
43.12 on the archived hearing, and Sen Capito's comments are at
56:40. Department of the Interior written testimony is third link from the bottom of the page with a brief positive mention by Neil Kornze at
1:09:38

AFHA supporters are encouraged to thank your Senators and Congressmen for supporting National Heritage Area designation for AFHA (S. 3167 and HR 693)
See HERE for more information.

Summer 2016

AFHA National Heritage Area Bill
Introduced

Senators Manchin, Mikulski,
Cardin, and Capito introduced the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area Act of 2016, on Tuesday, July
13. The legislation would designate the 18 county Appalachian
Forest Heritage Area as a National Heritage Area, recognizing it as
nationally significant, and providing eligibility for technical
assistance and funding through the National Park Service. With HR 693
already introduced in the House, this marks the first time we've had active
AFNHA legislation in both Houses of Congress! Go
HERE for
full press release.

Endangered Species Act,
Section 7 Training

Thursday, 25 August in
Elkins, WV -
Join us as we welcome Glenn Smith, USFWS Regional ESA Section 7 Coordinator,
for a 1 day training on consultation under the Endangered Species Act! We
encourage all partners and environmental consulting groups to participate!
Go HERE to find out more.

Spring 2016

AFHA AmeriCorps Now
Recruiting for Next Term

AFHA AmeriCorps program is
accepting applications now for members to serve starting September 2016. For
more information on our program, see:
http://www.afha.us/americorps.htm

Winter 2016

Fall 2015

As of the beginning of
November, several positions are still seeking members with the desire to
help local communities. For details, see
HERE.

Spring 2015

Stakeholders Meeting Coming Up

AFHA Stakeholders meeting
will be May 13 at the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center in Elkins. For
more detail on the meeting see our meeting page
HERE, or read the same information
in our current NEWSLETTER.

AFHA Americorps Now
Recruiting

AFHA AmeriCorps is now recruiting for new members for the term to start
September 2015. We are accepting applications for sites until April 22. For
more information, see:
http://afha.us/americorps.htm

Winter 2015

AFHA Concert Series at
the Darden Mill

The Appalachian Forest Heritage
Area (AFHA) is pleased to announce a concert series for 2015 that will
feature traditional music artists from the region and beyond. This series is
being held in conjunction with a new exhibit which will open later in the
spring, “Homespun & Handmade: Culture in the AFHA Region.” Concerts will be
held at the Darden Mill, a historic industrial building just one block away
from downtown Elkins which now hosts AFHA’s Appalachian Forest Discovery
Center and the West Virginia Railroad Museum.

The next concert in the series features Jesse Milnes and Emily Miller with
Gerry Milnes on Wednesday February 25th at 7:30pm. Together, this trio
recorded Cherry River Line: Traditional Music from the Monongahela National
Forest, an album of fiddle tunes and songs collected by Gerry that are from
or tell about the Mon Forest. Jesse, Emily and Gerry all live in Randolph
County, West Virginia, but this will be a rare opportunity to see them play
together locally!

The museum is located at the corner of First Street and Railroad Avenue in
Elkins, WV.
2 Railroad Ave.
Elkins, WV 26241Map

Evening parking is available at the Mill, on-street, and in the H&R Block
lot across the street.

Find out more by visiting HERE as
well as this website and our
Facebook
page.We are also featured on the
Mountain Music Trail
(http://mountainmusictrail.com/the-darden-mill-appalachian-forest-heritage-area-discovery-center/)

A bill
to designate the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area was introduced in
the U.S. House of Representatives on February 3. HR 693 was introduced by
Congressman David McKinley (WV-1) with co-sponsorship from Congressmen Evan
Jenkins (WV-3), Alex Mooney (WV-2) and John Delaney (MD-6). This is the
first time our bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives. For
more info and how you can help see
http://afha.us/heritagearea.htm

Fall 2014

The expanded AFHA AmeriCorps team started in
September under two grant
programs funded by Corporation for National and Community Service
through Volunteer West Virginia. AFHA AmeriCorps: Enhancing Assets to
Benefit Communities has 27 slots doing conservation, community
development, and hands-on historic preservation service. AFHA
AmeriCorps: Growing Communities through Heritage Development has 11
slots focusing on heritage development at museums and historic sites.

Spring 2014

AFHA Exhibit Featured at new Darden Mill

The
Darden Mill, located on the corner of Railroad Avenue and First Street in
Elkins, opened its doors to the public with a Grand Opening of the building
on Friday, April 25th, from 5pm to 8pm.

Restoration, preservation, and renovation work at the Darden Mill
occurred over several years, with funding from a USDA Rural Development
grant and with some labor provided by the AFHA AmeriCorps hands-on team
members. Today the building stands as a tribute to Elkins' industrial past,
but also as a new and hopeful enterprise in downtown Elkins.

The building is home to the AFHA exhibit, "Discovering
the Appalachian Forest," which is still on display. The Grand
Opening introduced a new exhibit by the West Virginia Railroad Museum titled
"Innovation & Impact: Railroads in the Mountain State."

Attend our annual Spring
Stakeholders Meet, Wednesday, April 30th through Thursday, May 1st, to find
out how you can become a part of this regional asset. Come for the entire
two-day meet, or come when you can. Just don't miss the Stakeholders Meeting
at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday! The original announcement is
HERE the updated details are
HERE, and a final
press release can be found
HERE. (PDF's)

Your RSVP is requested to
help with our planning. Please let us know which tours you plan to attend on
Wednesday, and/or if you plan on attending the meeting on Thursday. Send
your RSVP to info@appalachianforest.us or call 304-636-6182.

AmeriCorps Applications for 2014-2015 Term:
Starting in May

Starting May 1st, interested
persons can apply to participate in the AmeriCorps program. For general
information about AFHA and AmeriCorps, see HERE.

More specifically, the
following opportunites will be available for the next service cycle:

+ AFHA
AmeriCorps is currently recruiting for AmeriCorps members
for the 2014-15 service term, which will begin September 8, 2014 for a
one-year commitment. Applicants should have a degree or experience relevant
to conservation, heritage/culture/museums/community development, or historic
preservation. For more information and applications instructions, see:
http://www.afha.us/special/Positions_Available_AFHAAmeriCorps_2014-15.pdf

+ AFHA
AmeriCorps is currently taking applications for site sub-sponsors
for the next AmeriCorps term to start in September. Members will serve with
sub-sponsor sites accomplishing heritage, historic preservation or
conservation projects that would not happen without their assistance. Sites
are responsible for supervision and cash match. Applications taken until May
15 or until all slots are filled. Email:
phyllisb@appalachianforest.us
for site sponsorship details and application.

+ AFHA is
taking applications for part-time program associate to help
manage the AFHA AmeriCorps program for next term. Past experience with AFHA
AmeriCorps or familiarity with AmeriCorps programs, and experience with at
least one of our program areas, is preferred. Applications taken until June
1 or until position is filled. Email:
phyllisb@appalachianforest.us
for position details.

Fall 2013

AFHA Bill
Introduced in Senate!

Senate Bill 1641“West Virginia
National Heritage Area Act of 2013” has been introduced in November
2013 by Senators Rockefeller, Manchin, Cardin, and Mikulski. This bill will
designate the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area and extend the
funding eligibility for the existing National Coal Heritage Area and
Wheeling National Heritage Area. This is a huge step towards our goal of
National Heritage Area designation for AFHA! For more information, to read
the text of the measure, and to track the proress of the Bill in Congress, see
HERE.

AFHA Exhibit Installed

The new AFHA exhibit, Discovering the
Appalachian Forest has been completed and installed in the
Darden Mill, in Elkins. Open this fall for special events, including the
open house November 8th from 4 to 6 pm and November 9th from 10 am to 6 pm,
the exhibit tells how the forest has affected people and how people have
affected the forest, both historically and today. The exhibit was funded in
part by the WV Humanities Council, and will open for regular hours in the
spring of 2014 in conjunction with the WV Railroad Museum. See more
HERE.

Tucker the Turtle Invasive Species Book

The Pests that Girdle the Home of Tucker
the Turtle is an exciting new children’s book about non-native
invasive species. Sponsored by the Potomac Highlands Weed and Pest
Management Area and Appalachian Forest Heritage Area, the book features
original illustrations by AFHA AmeriCorps member Molly Swailes. Attend
Tucker’s Big Bash, book launch and art auction, on Saturday Nov 9 from 4 to
6 pm. The event is free admission and includes crafts and kids activities,
snacks, book readings, live music by the Elm Street Alleycats, and an art
auction of the original paintings for the book. Books will be available for
purchase at the event, or afterwards through AFHA. Book proceeds will go
towards non-native species educational outreach. Details can be seen
HERE.

Spring 2013

The time has come again! Members
for the 2013-2014 AmeriCorps program are being sought now. See
HERE
for detailed information on how you can apply.

US Route 219 is a highway that runs
north to south right through the heart of AFHA country. A new project, "Travelling 219" gathers the history and stories along
this road to preserve and present them for everyone. See more at their
website: http://www.traveling219.com/

Winter 2013

AFHA Stakeholder Meeting Coming Up!

AFHA Stakeholder meeting will be held in Richwood, Nicholas County on April 12. Come learn what AFHA has been doing, participate in discussions to help shape AFHA future, and explore historic Richwood.
Please plan to attend! Details:
HERE
Email Bulletin:
HERE

Fall 2011 - Tree Planting Effort

Together with Plum Creek Timber, AFHA will
celebrate National Public Lands day by planting native red spruce in the
Monongahela National Forest. Volunteers will meet on September 24th at
Mine Road near Slatyfork, WV at 9am, or may carpool from Elkins City Hall
at 7am.

Spring Stakeholders Meeting Coming

The 2011 Spring Stakeholders meeting will be a
one-day meet in Marlinton, West Virginia. All interested are welcome. It
will start at 9:30am on Saturday, April 8 at the McClintic library in
Marlinton. For more details about this meeting, see Page 3 of the
newsletter
HERE.

Working on Preservation

AmeriCorps member Crystal Whiters writes of her
time working in the Elkins and Randolph County area in the National Trust
for Historic Preservation newsletter
HERE.

E-Bulletins

Appalachian Forest Heritage Area is pleased to
initiate ouron-line newsletter bulletins. These
periodic news bulletins will be announce to you by email, and always
available on our web site www.appalachianforest.us. We will continue to
mail printed newsletters twice a year – these are also available on the
web site. To sign up for our email list or our print mailing list, go
here.

MARCH 2010

Garlic Mustard has gained much
attention in recent years for its ability to rapidly invade wooded habitats
from disturbed areas. The invasive garlic mustard plant threatens the
abundant wildflowers and diverse forest ecosystem of West Virginia and much
of the United States. Introduced by European settlers for its medicinal
purposes and use in cooking, garlic mustard is now affecting not only
wildflowers but tree growth and the animals that depend on these native
ecosystems.

Last year's event was a huge success, and now the
Appalachian Forest Heritage Area and the Monongahela National Forest are
teaming up again to challenge you to do your part to keep West Virginia wild
and wonderful. Last year we removed of 11,722 pounds of garlic mustard and
this year we are increasing our goal to 15,000 pounds!

FOR DATES AND DETAILS, See the AFHA Garlic Mustard
Program webpageHERE

Make a Difference DaySaturday October 24, 2009
Sinkhole cleanup to protect groundwater

To volunteer for the Pink
Helictite Cave sinkhole cleanup, meet at 9 am Saturday, October 24 in the
parking lot behind the Monongahela National Forest headquarters at 200
Sycamore St. Elkins, WV, or meet at 9 am at the Marlinton Ranger Station
in Marlinton, to carpool to the site. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the
weather, and be prepared to get muddy. You might want to bring a change to
dry clothes for the drive home. Please bring your own lunch. Trash bags
and gloves will be provided. Email volunteerism@appalachianforest.us to
let us know you plan to attend, or for more information, or call Linda
Tracy, US Forest Service at work (304) 636 1800, ext 275.

To meet
us directly at the site (about 10:30 am expected start time) here are
directions to the site:

From Durbin: Take US. 250
north/west from Durbin approximately 6 miles to WV secondary route 250/1.
Turn right (north) onto 250/1.

From Huttonsville: Take US 250
south/east across Cheat / Shavers Fork plateau. Going down the mountain
about 1 mile east of the Pocahontas-Randolph County line, watch for 250/1
in the middle of a sharp curve. Make a very sharp left (to the north) onto
250/1.

Once on 250/1: Follow this
gravel road for about 2 miles as it passes through pastureland then into a
wooded area. The sinkhole to be cleaned up is located on the left side of
250/1. There are large limestone rocks placed on the left side of the road
at the sinkhole location.

Get Active!National Public Lands Day Tree Planting Event
Saturday, 26 September 2009

Volunteers are being sought to help plant native red
spruce seedlings on the Monongahela National Forest and the Canaan Valley
National Wildlife Refuge to help restore a functioning red spruce-northern
hardwood forest ecosystem. protect high elevation streams and connect spruce
in the higher elevations to the floor of Canaan Valley.

Volunteers should meet at the Canaan Valley
National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 10:00 am, September 26th.
Gloves, sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, and appropriate rain gear
should be brought by each person, along with food and water. National
Public Lands Day 2009 t-shirts will be given to the first 100 volunteers.

AFHA in the News

Recruiting Now for New AmeriCorps positions for Fall 2009

The Appalachian Forest Heritage Area (AFHA) is seeking 17 AmeriCorps members to work on hands-on projects working on
conservation, historic preservation and heritage development and tourism
projects that enhance assets to benefit communities. AmeriCorps members
work full-time, and receive a living allowance plus an educational
benefit at the completion of one year.

We will return to the site of one of our most
successful early meetings to celebrate our progress in recent years, and the
launching of some exciting new initiatives to engage AFHA volunteers and
visitors.

Watch your email, the upcoming newsletter, and our this website for more
details in the next couple of weeks.

Here is the short version to
get on your calendars now:

Thursday
March 26

On your own tours of Cranberry country

Tour of historic Webster Springs

Try out pilot GPS and scavenger hunt ideas

Friday March 27

Stakeholders meeting at Camp Caesar

AFHA updates and progress

Welcome and reports on local activities

AFHA Volunteer program launch

Tourist touring activities - presentation and discussion

AFHA Council meeting

Lodging available at Camp Caesar or
local motels.

"Make A Difference Day" in AFHA-land...

Make a
Difference Day volunteer activity to begin
Restoration of Riverside School.
Volunteers are invited on Friday October 24 and Saturday October 25, from 9
am to 4 pm, to help rebuild the pediment on the front of the building. This
project is hosted by Appalachian Forest Heritage Area AmeriCorps. Pizza will
be provided for lunch. To sign up or for information call 304-636-6182 or
email jlogansmith@hotmail.com.

Make a
Difference Day volunteer activity to reduce groundwater pollution by
Cleaning Up Trash in the Pink Helictite Cave
sinkhole outside of Durbin. Volunteers are invited on Saturday October
25, meeting at 8:45 am behind the Monongahela Supervisors Office, 200
Sycamore Street, for carpool. This project is hosted by Appalachian Forest
Heritage Area AmeriCorps in partnership with Monongahela National Forest and
Mountain State Grotto Caving Club. Bring your own lunch and water, and dress
for getting dirty. To sign up or for information call 304-636-6182 or email
jlogansmith@hotmail.com.

Stakeholders Will Meet in Romney — 30 Oct-1 Nov 2008

The focus will be on

NATURE TOURISM AND CONSERVATION.

For details (including contact and reservation info) go to the
PDF HERE
or see the latest issue of the AFHA newsletter.

"Walk In The Woods" Program Will Be 18 October 2008

The West Virginia Forest Stewardship Program
welcomes guide/expert Richard Grist.

All interested parties are invited!

See various types of forest, wildlife, water, and karst topography
management activities.
October 18 from 1pm to 4pm - Lunch provided
LEWISBURG, WV

Special Events Slated for Elkins Forest Fest

Learn about forest management and forest products on two special
Forest Festival tours organized by Appalachian Forest Heritage Area.

Explore sustainable forest management practices on a tour of the
Penn Virginia demonstration forest Wednesday afternoon. This forest
area in Randolph County shows a variety of forest management
practices. The tour will be led and hosted by Larry Jackson of Penn
Virginia. The tour will meet at 1:00 pm,
Wednesday October 1 at Tygart Valley Mall parking lot to carpool
to the forest.

On
Thursday morning, tour the Hamer Pellet Fuel plant in Elkins to see the
manufacture of a renewable, clean-burning and cost effective home heating
alternative. Pellet fuel is made from clean sawdust, much of which comes
from our lumber operations in the heart of the Appalachian region. Rob
Jones, public relations director of J.C. Hamer Company will lead the tour.
Park at the West Virginia Wood Technology Center parking lot, #10 Eleventh
Street, Elkins (in the Industrial Park) by 10
am, Thursday October 2 to join this tour.

Both tours are free as a part of Appalachian Forest Heritage Area’s
commitment to providing public information and increasing understanding
about forest management and products.

Grant Awarded for Restoration of the Darden Mill

The non-profit group Citizens for Historical Opportunity,
Preservation and Education (C-HOPE) -- partner organization of AFHA
--
was recently awarded a USDA Rural Development Rural Business
Enterprise Grant for $99,500, making the complete restoration of the
Darden Mill feasible. While private donations for grant match are
still needed, Phyllis Baxter, director of AFHA, is relieved “to see
the end of the tunnel financially.” With the help of the grant
money, the 1902 mill will be adapted for modern use as a museum, an
artisan workshop, and the AFHA headquarters over the next two years.

"Woodland Stewards" Workshop Coming Up

The 7th annual West Virginia Woodland Stewards workshop will be held at
Camp Caesar (Webster County) on October 9-12, 2008. This workshop is
intended to provide broad exposure to educators, forest landowners, and
farmers on forest and wildlife management topics. This is an
information-packed, three-day training workshop. The first session begins on
Thursday evening and the last at noon on Sunday.

Room, meals, and educational materials are free to participants. The
workshop is funded by the WV Division of Forestry to promote forestry
education and wise use of forest resources on private lands. There have been
over 120 people trained in the previous six workshops.

Thursday evening participants will hear about the history of West
Virginia forests. Early morning sessions give an introduction and practice
in tree identification. After a hearty breakfast, participants listen to
lectures on forest ecology, game management, nongame wildlife, best
management practices, urban wildlife, ruffed grouse management,
silviculture, and developing a stewardship plan.

After lunch the workshop moves to the forest, where they see examples of
forestry and wildlife management on National Forestlands and learn how to
measure trees and make decisions for forests based on specific landowner
objectives. After dinner presentations feature a not-to-be-missed reptile
event on one evening and an informative lecture on timber contracts the next
evening.

Lecturers are professional managers, scientists, and
practitioners from the West Virginia University Extension Service and
Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia Division of
Forestry, WV Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, the West Virginia Forestry Association, and the USDA Forest
Service.

The workshop is open to everyone. If you are interested
in participating in this year’s WV Woodland Stewards workshop, please
contact
Dr. Dave McGill (304-293-2941 x 2474)
for more information.

JOBS FILLED (Was: "Part-time Positions Available")

AFHA needs part-time assistance in administering the
organization and supervising our AmeriCorps team. This could be one person
with multiple tasks, or the tasks could be divided between two or three
people. Tasks include:

Bookkeeping for organization and AmeriCorps grant, including direct
deposit payroll. Should be familiar with accounting principles and
Quickbooks.

Administrative help for AmeriCorps program and organization, including
record-keeping, correspondence, and filing. Estimated 8 to 15 hours per
week.

Program supervisor for conservation team. Will help to organize and
coordinate projects, and supervise AmeriCorps members working on those
projects. May include environmental education projects, interpretation,
conservation, landscape and hands-on projects such as tree planting,
invasive species control, trail maintenance, etc. Familiarity with any
of these types of projects would be helpful, but not all are required.
Supervisor will probably be needed to meet with team weekly, and should
be periodically available to the team when they need help at other
times. Estimated 5 to 10 hours per week.

Program supervisor for historic preservation team. Will help to organize
and coordinate projects, and supervise AmeriCorps members working on
those projects. This will include rehabilitation / construction work on
historic buildings – should have familiarity with construction and
historic preservation principles. Supervisor will probably be needed to
meet with team weekly, and should be periodically available to the team
when they need help at other times. Estimated 5 to 10 hours per week.

Positions are based in Elkins, and can be arranged on either employee or
contract basis. Budget is limited with no benefits, but working conditions
can be flexible to suit your situation. Pay, hours and responsibilities will
be negotiated based on experience, needs, and budget.

To apply please send (email preferred) cover letter and resume to
phyllisb@meer.net or mail to AFHA, PO Box 1206, Elkins WV 26241.
Applications requested by August 20 but will be accepted until positions are
filled. For questions or more information call Phyllis Baxter at 636-6182
(o) or 636-2467 (h).

Heritage Tourism Development: Workshop and Discussion

Thursday, July 31, 2008
1 pm to 4 pm
Adaland Mansion, north of Philippi
see www.adaland.org
for directions

Come learn how to attract heritage tourists to your business or
attraction and what you can do to appeal to this lucrative tourism market.
Discussion will focus on Barbour and surrounding counties with information
and networking of value to the whole area. Workshop presenters:

· Who are heritage tourists?
· How do we attract them and give
a quality experience?
· How do we encourage them to
stay, spend money, and come back again?
· What is our area doing now for
heritage tourists and what can we do better?
· How does the “Forest Heritage”
theme attract both heritage and nature tourism?

Reserve your spot:Call: 304-457-2415
Email: info@adaland.org

Sponsored by Appalachian Forest Heritage Area
Hosted by Adaland

Fernow Experimental Forest Tour

Join AFHA for a special guided tour of the Fernow
Experimental Forest, Friday August 1 from 10 am to about 1 pm. Led by Fernow
research forester Tom Shuler, the tour will feature many of the varied study
areas in the forest.

We will meet at 10 am at the Fernow Headquarters at the Cheat Ranger Station
at Parsons, WV. Directions: From Parsons, take US Rt 219 north. Travel over
the Black Fork River Bridge and take the next right immediately past the
bridge.

Please RSVP to phyllisb@meer.net, 304-636-6182, so we know who to expect.

Heritage Tourism Workshop Coming Up

At 10:30am on Tuesday June 10, at the Workforce
Office in Webster Springs, a Heritage Tourism Workshop will discuss how to
attract heritage tourists to your business or community. Dr. Susan
Martin-Williams, Professor of Tourism, Concord University will be the
primary presenter.

For more information, see flyer (in PDF format)
HERE or the original press release (Word DOC)
HERE

Spring Stakeholders Meeting

TThe Spring Stakeholders Meeting for 2008 took place in Braxton County in
early May. For details about this meeting, see the pre-event publicity in
the form of a PDF file HERE.

New AmeriCorps jobs open for FALL 2008

The Appalachian Forest Heritage Area (AFHA) is seeking 10 AmeriCorps members
to work on hands-on projects that enhance community, natural, and historic
assets to benefit communities by developing heritage tourism. AmeriCorps
members work full-time, and receive a living allowance plus an educational
benefit at the completion of one year.

WVU Extension sponsors wood energy seminars

Heating costs are a growing problem in West Virginia and the intense
global demand for energy is constantly in the news. To ameliorate heating
cost and to help shift to renewable energy resources, some homeowners,
farmers, and small business owners are shifting to wood as an alternative or
supplemental energy source.

To highlight some of the opportunities for using wood for small-scale
heating, West Virginia University Extension Service is hosting wood energy
seminars to provide information about this renewable heating source.

The workshops will be held:

Tuesday evening, February 19, in Augusta, Hampshire County
at the Bank of Romney Community Room, Augusta Branch.
For information call Gerald Leather or Kelly Hicks, Hampshire County
Extension Office at 304-822-5013;
Kelly.Hicks@mail.wvu.edu.

Each workshop will start at 6:30 pm with a lecture by Dr. Dave McGill,
WVU Forest Resources Extension Specialist who will discuss sustainable
aspects of wood energy, wood production and structure, heat content of
various tree species, and economics of wood energy.

Mr. Bill Biller, a local wood stove distributor, will demonstrate an
outdoor wood burning stove and will talk about practical issues related to
using wood as an energy source to heat small buildings and homes.

The workshops are part of a project coordinated by the WVU Biomaterials
and Wood Utilization Center in the Division of Forestry and Natural
Resources. Supported by a grant from the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture,
Research, and Education program, the project promotes the advantages of and
opportunities for using wood as a renewable energy source.

Light refreshments will be served at the workshops. Anyone interested is
welcome to attend.

Fall 2007

Fall
Stakeholders Meeting

Help reports in -

AmeriCorps Positions Hired For Appalachian Forest Heritage Area

Please Help:Support Letters Needed Now:

AFHA needs YOUR help with NEW support
letters. We need letters showing that our partners will help provide
resources to match Federal funds if we are successful in getting
National Heritage Area status. We also need letters to our Senators
and Representatives letting them know we believe AFHA is important and
asking for their support.

Friday April 27th (held at the Highlands Golf
Course)
9:30 AM Introductions and Updates
10:00 AM Program – non-timber forest products featuring mushroom
production by Paul Goland
12:00 PM Luncheon (approx $10 each)
1:00 PM Interest Group Meetings
2:30 PM Council MeetingTour Activities:
Meet for Thursday afternoon tour at 1:00 pm at the Pendleton County
Chamber Office, corner of Rt 33 and Rt 220 in Franklin. It is on the
right hand side of Main Street, at stop light. We will carpool from
here. Anyone who might want to join the tour at a later stop, please
RSVP and we will get you directions and rendezvous information.

Woodline Factory Tour – Woodline manufactures
unfinished furniture, shelves, and other small furniture items for
major companies. Kaiser Mill at Sugar Grove
is an outstanding example of a nineteenth century historic water mill.
The company closed in 1968, complete with machinery and office intact.
This is a rare opportunity to visit a well-preserved, privately-owned
site.

Board Meeting: The AFHA Board will meet over dinner
Thursday evening at the Log Cabin Restaurant in Brandywine. We will
start approximately 6:30, depending on the length of the tour. Other
AFHA stake-holders are welcome to have dinner here at a different
table, or at other restaurants in the area.

Friday Stakeholders and Council Meeting at Highlands
Golf Club, between Franklin and Brandywine. The entrance to the
Highlands Golf Club is located on the east side of Troublesome Valley
Road, 1-2 miles north of the intersection with US Rt. 33, five miles
east of Franklin, West Virginia. Phone 304-358-2261.

RSVP: If you are planning to attend any portion of the meeting, please
RSVP so that we will have count for meals and tours, and can
send you updates of any last minute information. We need to give a
lunch count by 4/20, so please try to RSVP by that date. You are still
welcome even without RSVP, but you’ll take your chances on enough
food. Council and Board members please confirm your attendance or send
proxy for our quorum count.
Send RSVP by email to afha@appalachianforest.us or call 636-6182.

More About the Area:

New Film Deals With First Highway

The Historic National Road in West Virginia' is a
30-minute documentary on the history and evolution of the nation's first
interstate highway, which features commentary from 'Road Scholars': Dr.
Emory Kemp, Dr. Billy Joe Peyton, Dr. David Javersak, and PhD. Candidate Dan
Bonenberger.

'The Historic National Road was the nation's first
federally funded interstate highway. It opened the nation to the west and
became a corridor for the movement of goods and people. Today, visitors
experience a physical timeline of buildings and landscapes that trace 200
years of American history.

The Road is the result of inspired vision of George
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Gallatin. True to the original
intent of its builders, the Road has served the nation well as our first
interstate highway and continues to be a major link in our transportation
network.

Winding across the heartland of America, it still
beckons to the spirit of adventure in all of us.'

The documentary was produced by The Walkabout Company
with partial funding provided by the Wheeling National Heritage Area.

Forest Legacy Program To Preserve Area Forests:

Applications Sought for Forest Legacy Program

(PLEASE NOTE: Program Deadline has passed - Was 28 February 2007)

Division of Forestry officials are seeking
applications for the Forest Legacy Program, a federal initiative to conserve
environmentally important forest areas threatened by conversion to
non-forest uses.

Landowners interested in applying for this program may do so through Feb.
28. Applicants may get more information about the program by visiting the
Division of Forestry's Web site at www.wvforestry.com or by calling
Assistant State Forester John Rowe at (304) 558-2788.

"The Forest Legacy Program is an excellent way to conserve our forests for
future generations and to keep West Virginia wild and wonderful," said
Director/State Forester Randy Dye. "I encourage any landowner who feels
pressure to sell his or her forestland to contact the Division of Forestry
immediately to find out more about this program."

The Forest Legacy Program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1990 to
conserve the nation's forestland from threats by development or conversion
to other non-forest uses. Landowners who participate in the program sign a
conservation easement, a legal agreement that allows the owner to sell or
donate rights to future development or other land-use activities in exchange
for keeping the land as a "working forest" to produce forest products for
perpetuity.

The Forest Legacy Program is a 75 percent to 25 percent cost-share program:
75 percent of funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest
Service while the landowner or other private sources are responsible for the
remaining 25 percent.

For more information about the Forest Legacy Program or to obtain an
application packet, call Rowe at 558-2788.

Wildflower Walk Explores May Flowers

The AFHA Randolph County committee sponsored a...

Wildflower Walk and Picnic Lunch
Which had a good turnout on
Sunday, 7 May 2006 at Stuart Recreation Area (East of Elkins)

The walk was guided by Elizabeth Byers,
who has degrees in geology and hydrology, and likes to explore the
relationships between native plants and their environments. Prior to
joining the Natural Heritage Program, Elizabeth was a senior program officer
with The Mountain Institute, an international conservation organization.
She has lived and worked in the Himalayas, East African rift, Alps, Andes,
and Appalachian mountains. Elizabeth is currently completing a two-year
conservation assessment of high elevation wetlands in the Allegheny Mountain
region of the state. She is a frequent contributor of wildflower
photographs to West Virginia Wildlife magazine, and a regular leader at the
annual Blackwater Falls Wildflower Pilgrimage.

AFHA Accepted: We're Official

We're Official!!
Appalachian Forest Heritage Area, Inc. has just received approval from the
IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This allows us to receive
tax-deductible donations to support our work, and to apply directly for
grants. -- 12 April 2006